SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(2 fields)
Communications - note
has an automated meteorological station
Internet country code
.bv
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economic overview
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
◆ GEOGRAPHY(16 fields)
Area
total: 49 sq km | land: 49 sq km | water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
antarctic
Coastline
29.6 km
Elevation
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m | highest point: Olavtoppen (Olav Peak) 780 m
Environment - current issues
none; almost entirely ice covered
Geographic coordinates
54 26 S, 3 24 E
Geography - note
almost entirely covered by glacial ice (93%); declared a nature reserve by Norway; the distance from Bouvet Island to Norway is 12,776 km, which is almost one-third the circumference of the earth
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) | arable land: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.) | forest: 0% (2011 est.) | other: 100% (2011 est.)
Location
island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Map references
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 4 nm
Natural hazards
occasional volcanism, rock slides; harsh climate, surrounded by pack ice in winter
Natural resources
none
Terrain
volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
◆ GOVERNMENT(4 fields)
Country name
conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Bouvet Island | etymology: named after the French naval officer Jean-Baptiste Charles BOUVET who discovered the island in 1739 | note: pronounced boo-vay i-land
Dependency status
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police
Flag description
the flag of Norway is used
Legal system
the laws of Norway apply where applicable
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
Background
This uninhabited, volcanic, Antarctic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers making it difficult to approach; it is recognized as the most remote island on Earth. (It is furthest in distance from any other point of land, 1,639 km from Antarctica.) Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom it is named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. A few expeditions visited the island in the late 19th century. In 1929, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island two years previously. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station and studied foraging strategies and distribution of fur seals and penguins on the island. In February 2006, an earthquake weakened the station's foundation causing it to be blown out to sea in a winter storm. Norway erected a new research station in 2014 that can hold six people for periods of two to four months.
◆ MILITARY AND SECURITY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Norway
◆ PEOPLE AND SOCIETY(1 fields)
Population
uninhabited
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
none
◆ TRANSPORTATION(1 fields)
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only